OAKLAND — A’s slugger Khris Davis underwent an MRI exam for a groin strain on Tuesday afternoon before the team opened its homestand against the Mariners, and manager Bob Melvin didn’t want to consider the worst-case scenario.
“Losing Khris Davis would be a tough one for us,” Melvin conceded. “He’s as prolific a power hitter as there is in baseball. Any team, that one would hurt, so hopefully that is not the case.”
Davis came out of Sunday’s game at Toronto after feeling what he described as a “stabbing pain” on a check swing.
Davis entered Tuesday tied for sixth in the American League with 13 home runs and third with 38 RBI. He hit more than 40 home runs each of the past two seasons.
Melvin, who expected to have a more definitive outlook after the game, said he was hopeful Davis would not need to be put on the disabled list. Team orthopedist Dr. Will Workman was scheduled to evaluate Davis’ MRI results on Tuesday afternoon.
“If we have to carry him for a little bit that would probably be a good option. The fact that maybe he could come back sooner than later,” Melvin said. “If it’s a DL stint, we’ll have to deal with that. Obviously, he’s a bit part of our lineup and we would miss him. It just creates an opportunity for somebody else.”
Meanwhile, starters Brett Anderson and Andrew Triggs both were to be evaluated by Dr. Workman after making early exits from consecutive games last week against the Blue Jays.
Anderson, who has a right shoulder strain, has not yet had an MRI. Triggs has a slight triceps strain which is irritating the radial nerve on the outside of his elbow, according to A’s trainer Nick Paparesta. Triggs had an MRI, which “looked good,” Paparesta test.
* Elsewhere on the injury front, Paparesta said right-hander Paul Blackburn (strained right forearm) threw 45 pitches in a game setting Monday in Arizona and will do so again Saturday. By next week, the A’s hope to know when he can make a rehab assignment.
Right-hander Liam Hendriks (strained right groin) threw off the mound Tuesday, his third full bullpen workout. He is expected to face hitters Friday in Arizona before the club schedules a rehab assignment.
Relief pitcher Ryan Buchter (strained left shoulder) is doing 75-foot long tosses, said Paparesta, who hopes he can throw off the mound by late next week.
Outfielder Boog Powell (strained right knee) is hitting off the tee and running, but is probably two weeks away from preparing to see action in a game.
* Melvin announced that right-hander Daniel Gossett (0-1, 11.05 ERA) will start Wednesday night’s game. Gossett hasn’t pitched for the A’s since April 6, but was 4-0 with a 1.63 ERA in seven games, including five starts, for Triple-A Nashville.
* The A’s reinstated catcher Bruce Maxwell from the restricted list and optioned catcher Josh Phegley to Triple-A Nashville. To clear a spot on the 40-man roster, the club designated catcher Dustin Garneau for assignment. Maxwell, who was on the opening day roster, is batting .211.